In a remarkable team effort, more than 50 people were safely rescued from the roof of Unicoi County Hospital in Erwin, Tennessee, after rising floodwaters from Hurricane Helene left them stranded for hours on Friday.

Helicopters coordinated by the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency and the National Guard worked tirelessly throughout the day to evacuate patients, staff, and visitors to safety, according to Erwin Alderman Michael Baker. Due to severe flooding and high winds, traditional rescue vehicles were unable to access the hospital, making this an especially dangerous operation.

Ballad Health, which operates Unicoi County Hospital, explained that 54 individuals, including 11 patients, were moved to the roof when water rapidly engulfed the hospital. Others were rescued by boat.

Angel Mitchell, one of those stranded, described the experience as “the scariest thing I’ve ever been through.” She, along with other patients, doctors, and nurses, waited for hours as floodwaters rose close to the roofline, forcing them to huddle together and pray while rescue teams worked to reach them.

As Hurricane Helene, now a tropical depression, continues to cause devastation across the Southeast, the courage and resilience displayed by both the rescue teams and those affected is a powerful reminder of the importance of preparedness and community support during natural disasters.